I tend to craft in spurts… sometime life gets in the way with work, kids, house, and all. But I started One Crafty Thing with the idea that I wouldn’t beat myself up over not posting, not crafting, not doing enough. It’s been over a year and I’ve actually made a lot of crafty things, but I haven’t had the time to blog. Today I did. So for my newest kindergarten kiddo, a Halloween Bento, but not too spooky, since he’s not a fan of scary 😉

In today’s lunch:

Main Cream cheese sandwich (I punched out the eyes with the tip of a frosting tip) and Babybel Cheese (loves his cheese!)Sides Half of a persimmon (with seaweed face– I used a seaweed punch to make the face) and some special candy corn popcorn with bat food picks (a Halloween treat!)Also included but not pictured Water and an apple for snack

Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

It’s been a while since I made a bento… not for not wanting, just for prioritizing other crafts. I’m currently painting in watercolor and learning how to illustrate in a couple of different syles, and working on my handlettering. So throwing together lunches has been… let’s say last minute 😉 But it’s the beginning of spring break for the kids so we kicked it off with a fun little lunch.

In today’s lunch:

Main Grapes and an apple “sandwich”– Apple slices with peanut butter in between. Also, a bunny Easter egg filled with a little treat (Egg shaped M&Ms).Sides Pistachios with M&M “eggs” and veggie sticksAlso included but not pictured Water

Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

Valentine’s day is almost a given bento lunch. Gotta spread the bento love! My kiddos were super happy to get the first “pretty” lunch in a long while, and I was happy to use rainbow carrots 😉 Seriously loving these rainbow carrots. Happy Valentine’s Day!

In today’s lunch:

Main Pocket PB&J Sandwich. Face painted with gel food dye and the little heart is a gummy from some Target candy we had.Sides Strawberry and vanilla flavored yogurt raisins. Rainbow carrots!Also included but not pictured Water and a mandarin.

Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

And so another Superbowl Sunday is here and time for another potluck watermelon! I’ve been doing this for a few years so each year it gets harder to come up with a new design that I haven’t done before. Foam finger it is 🙂 Next year should be interesting!

2016 has been a hard year for many people. From division in politics in the US to cities around the world being attacked and senseless violence happening, it’s been weighing a bit hard on me this holiday season. Peace. I just want peace. So I tried to send some peace and love in the form of a school lunch. A bit silly? Perhaps, but it doesn’t hurt to send those good vibes into the universe.

In this lunch:

Main Nutella sandwich in the shape of a dove because a little treat was needed for the holidays. Dove is holding a leaf bento pick and surrounded by roasted butter peanuts (in retrospect, I shouldn’t have put so many roasted nuts and will limit the treats later on — just thinking out loud!)Sides Raspberries with green sprinkles and gala/granny smith apples cut into alternating slices. (I had the rest of the apples for breakfast that day 😉 )Also included but not pictured Water and a granola bar.

Today, I used tools similar to these (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

This week, my children asked me why I never make them bentos anymore. I told them that I was at a loss for time many mornings because of work but since they were off this week and I was trying to keep them entertained, I said I’d make them a bento lunch even though they were home from school. A simple Thanksgiving lunch 🙂

In today’s lunch:

Main PB turkey leg shaped sandwich. I made this in two parts, one with a general shape of the turkey (peanut butter on top) and one with a cutter (shaped like a bone) and chex mix (apparently, the kids love this stuff!)Sides Though they look like cranberries, my kids love cherries, so cherries and a whole persimmon that my kids eat up like apples.Also included but not pictured Water and grapes

Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

We are so close to Halloween that I couldn’t break tradition, no matter how busy. I love Halloween. It’s my most favorite holiday. It’s so much fun! A simple pumpkin theme for this year!

In today’s lunch:

Main PB Pumpkin sandwich (moon cutter for the mouth and small circle cutter for eyes) with Chex mix and yogurt raisinsSides Grapes on pumpkin and bat picks and a mandarin “carved” (with a carving knife) like a jack-o’-lanternAlso included but not pictured Water and a granola bar, with an extra orange for snack.

Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

While October is full of Halloweeny goodness and fun times, part of the fall season reminds me that it’s time for the monarch butterfly migration that goes from the northern US/ Canada down to Mexico. There are overwintering areas all the way down California and one very close by my house that we love to visit. So for us orange and black isn’t just about Halloween, but it’s also about monarch migration. So today’s bento is inspired by the fact that we, as a state, need to help that migration along. Each year, if there isn’t a place for them to roost, then they can’t make their trip down south. Planting native milkweed in our garden can help, and limiting deforestation along the coast can help as well. Hope these lovely butterflies stay for a bit and make it down to their destination!

In today’s lunch:

Main PB&J Sandwich cut out with stamped message. Yogurt raisins. I also used edible wafer monarch butterflies as little decorations.Sides Black grapes and mandarinsAlso included but not pictured Water and a granola bar.

Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

It’s Talk Like a A Pirate Day! And I LOVE pirates. And what is the best pirate movie ever made? THE GOONIES. This summer, my kiddo watched the Goonies and we’ve been singing Cyndi Lauper songs since then until… well, this morning. Today’s lunch, then, was a tribute to One Eyed Willie!

In today’s lunch:

Main PB&J Sandwich. Eye patch is made with a half of an Airhead mini and non-pareils. Letters are cut out of cheddar cheese.Sides Strawberries with “rich stuff” food picks and coconut clustersAlso included but not pictured Water and yogurt.

Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

As a woman, there is some stereotypes in our culture about women loving shoes. I like shoes. I don’t think I like shoes an inordinate amount for any old human being. That said, I’ve been obsessed with shoes lately.

OBSESSED.

Not just wearing them (I like the wearing) but really, I love painting them. Making fun shoes up. Wearing silly shoes that make my feel look like zombies because… well, because I can.

So here are a few shoes I’ve painted lately. Some for me, some for gifts, some for three giggly kiddos who really wanted silly painted shoes.

I saw some zombie feet on Pinterest and then later found out that even Vans had Zombie feet kids’ shoes so I took an old pair of shoes and painted them into turquoise zombies. Right now, these are my favorite to wear!

Another cousin just had a baby and she has an older little kiddo as well so I made matching kid shoes and a matching tote for mom 🙂 I briefly considered keeping the tote for myself and making another for her… but finally just mailed them off before I started using it.